A day and a half had passed since Laruse and the others had returned to the secret town.

They were greeted with many of their duties right away, not allowing an ounce of time to be used for leisure... for Laruse that is.

But what was the most pressing news that came to their attention was a large-scale battle that will happen against the revolution and Farron, the great nation to the north.

"A great battle, huh? Alright, give me what you've got. A report about this has been made already, right?" he asked the soldier in front of him, standing dutifully.

"Yes! Here is the detailed report. I will read it out to you."

Clearing his throat, the man began to speak.

"It was weeks ago when there was a rumor about Farron troops marching from their capital to the Independent City-State near its borders, Lagalice. It was three days approximately after that did the reports confirm that an invasion of Farron was indeed true, numbering at least fifty thousand well trained, and freshly armed men."

"Is there anything about their leader?"

"Yes sir! But it is nothing too special. We've been told that he is simply an advance army, and that the real one will be days behind from them, waiting to mount the real attack. Needless to say that even the general leading the forward army isn't well known, he is very reputable for his skills in swordsmanship. The second general is unknown, unfortunately."

"Alright. Continue. What about the revolution's side?"

"Well... this may sound odd, but they're not sending any reinforcements and will be using the current force positioned there."

His eyes turn suspicious upon hearing this, not believing what he had heard.

"Hmm, that's odd, real odd. If they don't reinforce, then even a boy without knowledge of this war can tell that Lagalice will be taken over without much challenge... Keep me informed of any developments. I guess the only thing we can do now is wait. Good work," he dismissed the soldier, who then left after a curt salute.

Laruse heaved a sigh, slumping on his desk after feeling the intense fatigue well over him. They had not truly gotten a full rest, always having to move so that they could make it back here in time. Though they did, Laruse simply didn't have enough energy after fighting the Dark Lord, as weak as it may have been.

But just as he slumped on his desk, Ophelia, wearing a loose, white blouse, and a medium length, chestnut colored skirt, entered with a tray of freshly cooked food, whose aroma was enough to wake Laruse even for a bit.

"My, it seems that you're finding it a bit hectic. Are you alright? I can take over for a while if you want," she said placing the tray on the desk

"Don't forget that I'm the new leader of this group. I won't back down just because of a little exhaustion. It'll make me look bad."

"Is that so? How courageous of you."

"But man, how did you handle this stuff on your own. Even with people helping me it still feels like there's a heavy load of work at every turn," Laruse started complaining while eating his fill. "This is really good! I've never tasted your cooking, but who knew."

"That's simply the responsibility of trying to unite everyone. We are acting as their last beacon of hope. We have the responsibility of restoring the peace that has been disrupted. And thank you. My mother taught me the basics of cooking, and it seems that I learned the rest by myself," she smiled after, giving a look that says everything she's done thus far isn't that difficult to her.

"What do you plan on doing with the Farronian attack? I happened to overhear on my way, but chose to come in after you were done."

"Hmm. We don't have to do anything at all. Everything north-west from us is controlled by the revolution, so there's not much we can do. But honestly, this is taking too long. I could just go there and beat the leader, ending everything as easy as that. But I'll end up dead, so never mind."

"Ease your mind for a while. As taxing as it can be, you're always bound to run into some things that you can't solve right away."

"You're right. Might as well take a breath of fresh air. Want to come with me?"

"I'd be glad to."

They came to the forest close to the outskirts of the organization, heading to a nearby river where the air is the freshest at this time in the morning, a few hours after dawn.

"I've been practicing with Cecil on how to improve my magic. It seems that neglecting it had a great toll on me as I can't seem to cast the most basic of spells, except that one that I used back at the village."

"I don't really know anything about magic, but don't rush everything. You're pretty eager despite being hesitant, but don't forget that someone who uses magic needs time and patience."

"For someone who knows very little of magic, you sure know what to do. Might it be that you're hiding a secret?"

"I've just been around people who use magic a lot, so getting used to them comes with a bit of wisdom. But it's great that you're practicing. I'll have to give Cecil a pat on the back for helping you out, but maybe when work's done."

"But I think that it just occurred to me that I'm doing something that the old me was strongly opposed to. Who knew that I'd be doing something like this again. If I never met you, then I would have never been motivated to do something like this."

"Don't credit me just yet. Keep practicing. Plus, all I needed to do was convince you. The rest is up to you. And I think you're doing a fine job of that."

"Thank you," she smiled, laughing.

"Might as well take a nap while I'm at it. You won't mind, won't you?"

"Not at all. I can even help you with that."

She sat herself underneath a lush tree, one a few meters from the river, like the perfect spot for a calming and serene ambiance.

She patted her lap, motioning for Laruse to come towards her, which he did, placing his tired head on her lap, feeling a soft breeze blow on his skin, relieving him of an invisible weight he had been carrying.

As he closed his eyes and the bright light disappeared behind his eyelids, he felt a warm pressure on his hair, caressing it gently, making his consciousness drift farther and farther away.

Then came the sound of humming, a tranquil tune which resonated with the rustling of the leaves and the whisper of the wind, a feeling that put Laruse to sleep with ease.

Hours passed since he fell asleep, waking up deep into the afternoon, opening his eyes to the sight of Ophelia sleeping.

He gently got up to not wake her, picking her up in his arms as he made his way back to the town.

As he got back, Cedric greeted him with a suspicious expression, hastily accusing him as he saw her, saying, "I've been looking for you-- Hey! What did you do to Ophelia!" he rushed up to him.

Laruse gestured for the man to stop, speaking softly as to not awaken her.

"Don't worry about Ophelia. She's just asleep. What do you need me for?"

"... Cecil, she's in the office. She's looking for you, says there's something that came up that you should see."

"That so? Tell me, is your injury fully healed?"

"I think. It doesn't hurt as much anymore, but I can manage. Why do you ask?" Cedric said, rotating his arms to prove that he could move it around.

"Here, take care of her for a while, or put her on a bed. She'll get up in a few more minutes I think. I'll go and check up on what that is," he placed Cecil in Cedric's arms, surpassing him a bit as hesitated, ultimately making carrying Ophelia without waking her his highest priority,

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do, alright? You gotta ask her for it first," Laruse said as he walked away, his back facing Cedric.

"What are you getting at?! I'm not going to do anything to her!" he screamed out noticing it as he hushed himself, heading somewhere Ophelia could rest.

Laruse arrived inside the office of the organization, seeing Cecil, who lit up right away at the sight of him.

"Cecil, what's this about?"

"Laruse! There's an important letter that came in today. You'll be surprised at who it is."

"Try me."

Cecil presented him with the letter. "It's from Marco."

"Marco, huh? ... wait? Marco?! What's a letter from him doing here?" he said, taking the letter, reading its contents.

"Oh, it’s for the organization."

"What does it say?"

"It says that they're formed a coalition with some other cities that escaped from revolution controlled cities. They want to join the resistance."

"When you said Marco can pull Zeal together, you really meant it, didn't you? Who knew they'd end up recovering within a few weeks?"

"He's just like that. He was probably put in charge of the entire city by the previous governor. I don't see any reason to turn them down. Let's make plans for a meeting then, shall we?" Laruse say on his chair, taking a piece of parchment paper and writing his own letter with it.

"Alright. I guess this'll do. I already have a plan in mind, Cecil. If this keeps up, this revolution will be over in a few weeks. Then finally we can go traveling around the continent, then maybe the rest of the world."

"You're always thinking too far ahead. But, I guess it always works out in the end with you. Just don't be too reckless. You may be strong, but you're just a human. We were lucky with the Dark Lord back at the village, but I predict that we'll be running into more and more strong enemies in the future."

"You worry too much, Cecil. We'll manage. You've got me, right? So, there's nothing to worry about," he said, ruffling her hair.

"There you go again. Whatever you say, then. If you're that confident."

"That's the spirit. Now let me mail this out to Marco and some others."

Days passed as Laruse prepared his plans after the sudden string of events, taking advantage of the opportunity to finally make a move which will damage the revolution.

In this time, Laruse called for a meeting, arranging for the various leaders of the, still standing, City-States to convene for the first time in the history of the resistance, formalizing a coalition of cities whose primary goal is to take down the revolution and restore the peace of the region of Independence.

"Present here is the representative of Zeal, Marco Fairway. The representative of Kausten, Caspian Lester. The representative of Port city Harrick, Maxwell Wallace. The representative of Sor, Devin Hartford. On behalf of the organization, I welcome you. In a few minutes, the leader of the organization will arrive, so please be a bit more patient," Ophelia gave a curt bow to the crowd of men who had their eyes glued on her, captivated by her looks.

"My, my. A maiden in the midst of all this chaos? It seems that there is a a secret garden of Eden secluded in this forest after all," Devin Hartford said, flaunting his charm.

"A new leader?! What is the meaning of this, Ophelia? Aren't you the leader?" Caspian asked in surprise, knowing full well that she was the one that founded and the organization. And that the fact that there's someone else leading it may mean that there's someone else that's capable of leading the people against a common foe.

"Oh, not just a beautiful face, but someone who likes being in command. I'm starting to get slightly aroused by this, believe it or not," Devin said, eyeing Ophelia like a predator.

"Well, she does look composed. But it feels that she lacks something, like an insecurity of some sort. However, I don't like assuming things as it would arouse a displeasure in this meeting, so I will refrain. But who is the leader, then?"

"Hmm, Mr. Fairway is correct. I anticipate the arrival of the one that called us here together. Though I worry about the state that my City-State is in without my leadership. The people depend too much on me, so they fear to defend the city themselves when they have the capacity to do so," a tall, muscular built man wearing casual regal clothes that formally fit the occasion, looking to be in his late thirties, with short, dark hair said with a smooth, low voice; acting as a very imposing character in the meeting of City-State representatives.

"I understand the severity of you all being here and how vulnerable your cities are, but this is an important step which we need to take in order to ensure a triumphant victory for the same cause, unity," she managed to silence them. They all decided in their minds to agree as each one of their reasons are the same, and with the terrible strife growing rampant, they have no other choices.

The door then opened abruptly, taking everyone's attention right away as he entered the room with two others.

"It can't be. Laruse, Cecil, and most importantly, Charles! What are you all doing here?!" Marco said with a genuinely surprised face, as if he had seen a ghost when it was only Laruse, Cecil, and Charles.

"I recognize you. You're that one who took down the pirate's in my City with Julius. What a small world. Don't tell me you're the leader of the organization?" Devin expressed his surprised, and slight discontent that it was not Ophelia whom led it, but instead a man who challenged his charismatic fame; and the fact that he had Cecil with him, irritating him all the more.

"You, you're that one who defeated General Oliver Gilford and forced his army to retreat! If you're leading the organization... then maybe it's not such a bad thing," Caspian tried reconciling with himself, thinking optimistically about the changes.

"Laruse? Now if I'm not mistaken, that's a name that I've heard once in my City. If I remember correctly, there was a man boasting about how he defeated the Disciple that massacred hundreds of Revolution soldiers outside my front doorstep. Is that you?" said Maxwell with intrigue, getting even more in the mood for the meeting to begin, wanting to know if what he boasted about in his city was true.

"Let's leave all questions after the discussion. First of all, my name's Laruse. I'm the leader of this organization. And I've called you all here to discuss a coalition against one common enemy, and that is the Revolution. I know the organization has been supporting some cities as best we could, but this time, we'd like to enter into a more formal alliance, one that can stand up to the enemy without fear. I believe that all of us together can make that difference," he spoke with a voice that drew them all in, filling them with the energy and vigor that they were missing. Each one of them was engrossed in listening to what he had to say, paying close attention.

"And with what I have in mind, this war won't even last another month, give or take. I'm not good at this diplomacy stuff, but I do know how to make things work somehow. So, within a month, I propose we attack the revolution according to my plan," he announced boldly, not even cementing a real alliance yet.

"You're given us a very good ground of what we need to know. Your words as well are very convincing. But, how and why should I ensure the lives of my people to you? Saying that you're good to making things happen as they go isn't that convincing as it sounds to you. To me, it's simply ridiculous. And I know little to nothing about you, so as vague as it can be, our chance of being allied with you on that basis is rather low," Maxwell objected openly, not holding back at his criticisms.

"Then I won't plead for your help. I won't force anyone to form an alliance. But that's just how determined and confident I am. Enough to say that we'll finish this when everyone else thinks that we don't have a chance."

"Confidence alone can't get one very far. You do realize that if you fail, everyone will look at you as a massive failure. Are you not terrified of that? Living the rest of your life with the souls of those whom you have sent to their deaths haunting you every night that you'll sleep?"

"If you say that this war can be won without casualties, then I say that you're dreaming. And as far as I'm concerned, as long as there are those that believe in me, and put their lives in my hands, I never lose when it counts," he stared deeply into Maxwell's eyes as to convey his message to him, including his feelings on the matter.

Maxwell simply closed his eyes and smiled, laughing to himself.

"What's wrong, have you gone mad?" asked Caspian, looking at Maxwell with a confused face.

"No, that's not it. It was simply convinced. I've never seen or spoken to anyone without seeing them break their confidence. I thought that it was all a bluff, but it seems that I have been convinced subconsciously. Very well. I am listening. What else do you propose?" Maxwell said in content, crossing his arms, looking at Laruse with a newfound admiration.

But before Laruse could begin speaking, the doors burst open, alerting everyone with the coming of a man wearing a simple leather armor, looking to be a scout or messenger by the way he was dressed to look prepared and unencumbered by anything in his way.

He panted upon entering, catching his breath before shouting the news of which he was told of, seemingly giving off a grave foreshadowing as his face implied it already, as if it were not obvious already.

"The invasion army of Farron has been defeated! By one man!" his words echoed into the room, strong enough to have been heard by those outside. But inside, there was only silence.